Our Hybrid Power System (HPS) is the world's first fully integrated energy solution that allows poor-grid and off-grid cell towers to reliably go or stay off-grid using only renewable, sustainable energy.

Flexible

Created with each site's uniqueness in mind, Windstrip Hybrid Power Systems are a modular, adaptable energy solution that can be tailored to the unique needs of each telecommunications site.

Reliable

Windstrip Hybrid Power Systems are designed and engineered to combine wind, solar, and other energy sources to intelligently deliver "five nines" reliability to the telecommunications industry.

Renewable

Windstrip combines wind, solar, and other energy sources with innovative power management and battery storage, ensuring economical production, storage, and delivery of energy.

Compatible and Scalable

This complete modularity of the HPS not only addresses initial site compatibility, but it also facilitates rapid accommodation of BTS power demand growth by not requiring complete system changes, but only modular expansion.

Open-ended Solutions

Windstrip has additional flexibility in its HPS design, addressing existing tower sites that may not have the structural integrity to accommodate the HPS system.

To accommodate the varied size/demands and conditions present at BTS sites, Windstrip has developed both scaled-down HPS systems (for micro-tower applications) and also its PowerTower™ system.

The PowerTower™ is an integrated stand-alone tower that includes the scalable HPS.  The PowerTower™ can stand separately from an adjacent BTS, supplying it all power needs, or the PowerTower™ can replace an existing tower, providing for the attachment of telecom equipment directly to the PowerTower™, just as it would to a traditional BTS.

Leveraging Innovation

Windstrip's initial focus is on the global telecommunications industry however, the Windstrip Hybrid Power System can be utilized in a variety of applications from Residential to Commercial to Industrial.

To see how we're leveraging our technology outside of telecom, visit our Projects page learn more.

The Problem

Currently, most operators use a diesel-solar combination that charges a 48V lead acid battery bank in order to power their off-grid or remote cellular towers. 

These systems can be costly and inefficient.

Optimized

Elements such as caps and vents optimize capture of available wind energy.

Low Startup Wind Speeds

Windstrip's Savonius-style turbine can generate power with wind speeds as low as 5m/s.

Minimal Force Loads

The turbine exerts low forces on structures to which it is attached.

Durable

Wind turbine performance insensitive to minor blade damage.

Easily Mountable 

A rigid, mountable superstructure supports the wind turbine, reducing costs by taking advantage of existing structures.

Wind Direction Independent

Energy is captured regardless of wind direction.

Modular

Additional wing segments can be added to increase wind energy captured.

Rapid Customer Payback

The nearly maintenance-free HPS, with a 10- to 20-year life, has a rapid time to payback on a CAPEX basis.

Below we chart the payback period for a real-life case study for an 3kW cell tower in India. For the case study we examine an off-grid and a grid-tied HPS versus the existing energy system at the site.

The 3kW system realizes nearly $9,000 and $4,400 annual savings and pay back in under three years and six years for the off-grid and grid-tied systems, respectively.

Inverse Energy Availability

This sample data set from Minnesota, USA shows the average daily renewable wind and solar resources available over the course of the year. What the data shows is an inverse relationship between wind and solar resource availability - generally speaking, wind is abundant when solar is not and vice versa.

Relying on a single power source exposes operators to seasonality and variability, which is not conducive to taking towers off-grid.

Leveraging 'Hybrid' with a Windstrip HPS

Utilizing a Windstrip HPS not only reduces variability and seasonality in power production, but also increases average power production over the course of the year.

A Windstrip HPS consisting of a 4 kW wind and 2 kW solar system would produce an average of 24.0 kWh daily throughout the year. Combined with appropriate storage, this HPS would take a 1kW system completely off grid.

Wind- or solar-only systems max out at 11.8 and 12.2 kWh, respectively.

Real-Time Monitor and Control

Our online interface - part of our innovative IDEAs technology - allows operators to monitor the system in real-time and detect and preemptively correct any issues.

Transmitted via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to a smartphone app, the system is easy and informative. 

Awards and Technical Recognition

• American Composites   Sustainability   Award,   American   Composites   Manufacturers   Association   Award   for Composite Excellence, 2013.
  • First Place,  Market Growth Category
• Abraham, J.P., Plourde, B.D., Small-Scale Wind Power – Design, Analysis, and Environmental Impacts, Momentum Press, June 2014.
• B.D. Plourde, E.D. Taylor, and J.P. Abraham, Financial and Implementation Considerations for Small-Scale Wind Power, in Small-Scale Wind Power – Design, Analysis, and Economic Impacts, Momentum Press, June 2014.
• B.D. Plourde, E.D. Taylor, P.O. Okaka, W.J. Minkowycz, and J.P. Abraham, Introduction to Small-Scale Wind Power, in Small-Scale Wind Power – Design, Analysis, and Economic Impacts, Momentum Press, June 2014.

Patents

PCT Application No. PCT/US2013/064477: MULTIPLE INPUT SINGLE OUTPUT HYBRID POWER SYSTEM covers the configuration of our electrical system (Loop) and a multiple input single output (MISO) system that uses a controller incorporating a proprietary algorithm to manage system wide limitations and maintain energy output within system parameters such that the energy output is at a maximum power point from the power sources and within the system parameters.

US 2013/0287591 A1: ROTOR BLADE FOR VERTICAL AXIS WIND TURBINE covers the blade design including vents within the blade design. The rotor blade is for use with a vertical axis wind turbine and has a proprietary design that includes an uncovered vent to provide an unobstructed path for airflow through the blade member and taking advantage of the geometries of the high drag side and the low drag side of the blade.